Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The University of Zulia

Faculty of Engineering
Basic Cycle
Physics department
Subject: Physics II

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ABOUT ELECTRICITY
FOLLOWING 1
 Teacher: Yolissa Vega

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 INTRODUCTION

In this work you will find Questions

and Answers about Electricity, where each
question is presented with its respective answer. In
total there are 70 questions, grouped 10 by 10,
according to the corresponding topic. The themes
are:

•Electric charge and Coulomb's law.

V Electric field.
V Gauss's Law.
V Electric potential.
V Capacitance.
V Current and resistance.
V Direct current circuits.

These "Questions and Answers about

Electricity" are presented in this digital format, to
facilitate a strategy for teachers dedicated to
teaching Electricity; and, with the intention of
capturing the attention of students who are
immersed in the world of ICT , and who can take
this work as a study tool for their Physics II
course. Each slide has animation so that each
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student follows the sequence in which they should
read the content.

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 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

INDEX

1. Electric charge and Coulomb's law 10

2. The electric field 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

3. Gauss's law 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

4. Electric potential 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

5. Capacitance and dielectrics 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

6. Current and resistance 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

7. Direct current circuits 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

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 Question
6

Explain the meaning of the expression "a neutral atom." Explain the
meaning of “a negatively charged atom.”

Answer

A neutral atom is one that has no net charge. This means that it has
the same number of electrons orbiting the nucleus, as well as protons
in the nucleus. A negatively charged atom has one or more excess
electrons.

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 Question
6
A loaded comb often attracts small fragments of dry paper that
subsequently fly when someone touches the comb. Explain this
behavior.

Answer

When the comb is close, the molecules in the paper become

polarized, and the paper is attracted. During contact, the charge on
the comb is transferred to the paper by conduction. Then, the paper
has the same charge as the comb, and is repelled.

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 Question
3

Can insulators be charged by induction?

Answer
No. To charge a body by induction, you must have charges that are
free to move in the body. An insulator has no such charges.

9
 Question
3

Hospital staff must wear special conductive shoes when working in

the operating room near pure oxygen. Because? Compare what
would happen if you wore shoes with rubber soles.

Answer
To prevent a spark from occurring. Rubber-soled shoes acquire a
charge from friction with the ground and could be discharged by a
spark, possibly causing an explosion of any flammable material in the
oxygen-enriched atmosphere.

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 Question
6
Explain from an atomic point of view why charge is usually
transferred by electrons.

Answer

Electrons are less abundant and more mobile than protons. In

addition, it is easier to separate atoms than protons.
Why is it more difficult to charge an object by rubbing on a humid day
than on a dry day?

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 Question
6
Answer

All components of air are nonpolar, except for water. Polar water
molecules in the air quite easily “steal” the charge from a charged
object, like any physics professor trying to perform well-known
electrostatic demonstrations in the summer. As a result of this, it is
difficult to accumulate large amounts of excess charge on an object
in a humid climate.

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 Question
10

What are the similarities and differences between Newton's law of

gravitation, F g = Gm 1 m 2 /r² , and Coulomb's law F e = k e q 1 q 2 /
r² ?
Answer
Similarities : A force of gravity is proportional to the products of the
intrinsic properties (masses) of two particles, and inversely
proportional to the square of the separation distance. An electric
force exhibits the same proportionalities, with charge as the intrinsic
property. Differences : The electric force can attract or repel, while
the gravitational force described by Newton's law can only attract.
The electrical force between elementary particles is much stronger
than the gravitational force.

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 Question 8
Would life be different if the electron became positively charged and
the proton became negatively charged? Does the choice of signs
have any impact on physical and chemical interactions? Explain.

Answer

No. Life would be no different if electrons were positively charged and

protons were negatively charged. Opposite charges would continue
to attract each other, and different charges would repel each other.
The assignment of positive charge and negativity is simply a
convention.

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 Question
9
A balloon becomes negatively charged by rubbing and then sticks to
a wall. Does this mean the wall is positively charged? Why does the
balloon finally fall after a certain time?
Answer
No. The balloon induces the polarization of the molecules in the wall,
so that a layer of positive charge exists near the balloon. The
attraction between these charges and the negative charges on the
balloon is stronger than the repulsion between the negative charges
on the balloon and the negative charges on the polarized molecules
(because they are further away from the balloon), so there is a net
attractive force To the wall. Ionization processes in the air
surrounding the balloon provide the ions so that excess electrons in
the balloon can be transferred, reducing the charge on the balloon
and eventually causing the attractive force to be insufficient to
support the weight of the balloon.

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 Question
10

Consider two equal point charges separated by a distance d . At what

point (other than ∞) would a third test charge experience no net
force?

Answer
At a point exactly halfway between the two charges.

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2. THE ELicriUCO CA9Í90
 Question
11
A light discharged metal sphere suspended by a thread is attracted to
a charged rubber bar. After touching the bar it repels the sphere.
Explain.

Answer

The electric field due to the charged bar induces charges on the near
and far sides of the sphere. The attractive Coulomb force between
the charge on the bar and the charge of different sign on the near
side of the sphere is greater than the repulsive Coulomb force of the
charge on the bar with the charge on the other side of the sphere.
The result is a net attraction from the sphere to the bar. When the
sphere touches the bar, charge is transferred between the bar and
the sphere, leaving both the bar and the sphere with a charge of the
same sign. This results in a repulsive Coulomb force.

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12

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 Question
12

A wooden pencil is wrapped by a lightweight aluminum sheet. When

a rod with a positive charge is brought close to the aluminum sheet,
the two ends of the sheet separate. Because? What type of charge
does the blade have?

Answer

The electric field due to a charged rod induces a charge in the

aluminum sheet. If the rod is brought towards the aluminum from
above, the top part of the aluminum will have a negative charge
induced on it, while the parts covering the pencil may have a positive
charge induced on it. These positive charges induced on the two
parts give rise to a repulsive Coulomb force. If the pencil is a good
insulator, the net charge on the aluminum can be zero.

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 Question
13
When defining the electric field, why is it necessary to specify that the
magnitude of the test charge is very small (i.e., why is it necessary to
take the limit of F e / q when q → 0)?

Answer
In this way the electric field created by the test charge does not
distort the electric field that is being measured, moving the charges
that are created.
 Question
13

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 Question
12
How would you experimentally distinguish an electric field from a
gravitational field?

Answer
With a very high budget, you can send first a proton and then an
electron into an evacuated region in which the field exists. If the field
is gravitational, both particles will experience a force in the same
direction, while they will experience forces in opposite directions if the
field is electric. On a more practical scale, adhere spheres of identical
plant marrow to each end of a toothpick. Charge one sphere + and
the other –, creating a large-scale dipole. Carefully suspend this
dipole by its center of mass so that it can rotate freely. Once
suspended in the field in question, the dipole will rotate to align with
an electric field, while it will not do so for a gravitational field. If the
test device does not rotate, be sure to insert it into the field in more
than one orientation in case it aligned with the electric field when you
inserted it in the first test.

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 Question
12

When is it valid to approximate a charge distribution by means of a

point charge?

Answer

If a charge distribution is small compared to the distance of a field

point from it, the charge distribution can be modeled as a single
particle with charge equal to the net charge of the distribution.
Furthermore, if a charge distribution is spherically symmetrical, a field
will be created at exterior points just as if its entire charge were a
point charge at the center.

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 Question
12

A free electron and a free proton are placed in an identical electric

field. Compare the electric forces acting on each particle. Compare
their accelerations.

Answer

The electrical forces acting on the particles have the same

magnitude, but opposite directions. The electron will have a much
larger acceleration (by a factor of about 2000) than the proton,
because its mass is much smaller.

Explain what happens to the magnitude of the electric field of a point

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 Question
12

charge as r approaches zero.

Answer

The electric field generated around a point charge tends to infinity as

r approaches zero.

A negative charge is placed in a region of space where the electric

field is directed vertically upward. What is the direction of the electric
force experienced by this charge?

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 Question
12

Answer

Vertically down.

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 Question 19
Explain the differences between linear, surface, and volumetric
charge densities, and give examples of when each would be used.
Answer
The linear charge density, λ , is the charge per unit length. It is used
when trying to determine the electric field created by a charged rod.
The surface charge density, σ , is the charge per unit area. It is used
to determine the electric field on a charged sheet or disk. The
volumetric charge density, ρ , is the charge per unit volume. It is used
to determine the electric field due to a sphere of uniformly charged
insulating material.

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 Question
20
Would life be different if the electron became positively charged and
the proton became negatively charged? Does the choice of signs
have any impact on physical and chemical interactions? Explain.
Answer
No. Life would be no different if electrons were positively charged and
protons were negatively charged. Opposite charges would continue
to attract each other, and different charges would repel each other.
The assignment of positive charge and negativity is simply a
convention.

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 3. THE LLYcDL
QAVSS

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 Question 21
Establish a comparison between Coulomb's law and Gauss's law.
Answer
Coulomb's law is useful for calculating electric fields created by point charges, that is, very small
charges. To calculate electric fields created by extensive charge distributions, such as the field created
by a uniformly charged metallic wire, although it can be solved by integration of Coulomb's law, it is
simpler to apply Gauss's theorem. Now, this theorem does not serve to calculate the field in any case.
It is necessary that the load be distributed according to a certain symmetry, central, axial or specular,
that is, symmetry with respect to a point, a straight line, or a plane. And in the cases of axial and mirror
symmetry, it is also necessary that the dimensions of the charge distribution have very large dimensions
compared to the distance at which the field is to be calculated. If these conditions are met, it is easy to
calculate the electric field in cases in which, by integration, it would be very complicated or impossible to
find. To do this, the definition of electric flux is applied through a CLOSED surface that passes through
the point at which the field is to be calculated, and that has the same symmetry as the charge
distribution, $ E = f E • dA • cosd .
The integral is a surface integral extended to a closed surface. If the surface is not closed, the procedure
is not valid. For reasons of symmetry, it can be ensured that the field E , in magnitude , has the same
value at all points of the surface that we have considered, and, therefore, it can come out of the integral,
dE=EJ dA • cosd with what which the calculation of the integral is simplified and, in general, is very easy
to solve.
On the other hand, if the Gauss theorem is applied, which establishes that the flow of the electric field
through a closed surface is dE = dneta, with q net being the total, or net, charge contained within the &o
volume that said surface encloses, that is, the algebraic sum of the charges, we have two equalities
whose first members are equal. Equating the seconds, we obtain, ^ E = E • ^dA • cose = Hneta, from
which the field E can be isolated. The rest of the calculation, as I have already said, is, &o
Overall, very simple.

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 Question 22

The Sun is lower in the sky during the winter than it is in the summer. How
does this change the flux of sunlight hitting a given area of the Earth's
surface? How does this affect the climate?

Answer Swq1|
The luminous flux in a given area is lower when the sun is low in the sky,
because the angle between the sun's rays and the local area vector, dA , is
greater than zero . The cosine of this angle is reduced. Decreased flow
results, on average, in colder weather.

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 Question 28

If the electric field in a region of space is zero, can you conclude that there
are no electric charges in that region? Explain.

Answer

If the region is just a point, line or plane, no. Consider two protons in empty
space otherwise the electric field is zero at the midpoint of the line joining
the protons. If the field-free region is three-dimensional, then it cannot
contain charge, but it could be surrounded by electric charge. Consider the
interior of a statically charged metal sphere.

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 Question 24
What if more electric field lines leave a Gaussian surface than enter? What
can you conclude about the net charge enclosed by that surface?

Answer

The surface must have a total positive charge within it.

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 Question 30

Does a uniform electric field exist in a region of space in which there are no
charges? What can you conclude about the net electric flux through a
Gaussian surface located in that region of space?

Answer
The net flux through a Gaussian surface is zero. We can argue it in two
ways. Any surface that contains zero charge, as Gauss's law says, the total
flux is zero. The field is uniform, so field lines entering on one side of the
closed surface exit on the other side and the net flux is zero.

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 Question 26

Explain why the electric flux through a closed surface with a given enclosed
charge is independent of the size or shape of the surface.

Answer
The electric flow through a sphere around a point charge is independent of
the size of the sphere. A sphere of larger radius has a larger area, but a
smaller field on its surface, so the product of field strength and area is
independent of radius. If the surface is not spherical, some parts are closer
to the charge than others. In this case too, smaller areas are projected with
stronger fields, so the net flow is not affected.

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7
 Question 24

Consider the electric field due to an infinite nonconducting plane that has a
uniform charge density. Explain why the electric field does not depend on
the distance from the plane as a function of the spacing of the electric field
lines.

Answer
Faraday's visualization of electric field lines gives insight into this question.
Consider the possibility that a section of a vertical sheet carried a charge of
one coulomb. You have 1/ ε 0 field lines pointing outward horizontally to the
right and left, all evenly spaced. The lines have the same uniform spacing
close to the sheet and far away, demonstrating that the field has the same
value at all distances.

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 Question 28

Use Gauss's law to explain why electric field lines must begin or end at
electric charges. ( Hint : Resize the Gaussian surface.)

Answer
Consider any point, zone, or object where electric field lines begin.
Surround it with a tight Gaussian surface. Lines going outward across the
surface constitute a positive net flow. So Gauss's law states that the net
positive charge must be inside the surface: it is where the lines begin.
Likewise, any place where the electric field lines end must be within a
Gaussian surface passing a net negative flux, and there must be a negative
charge.

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 Question 30

Using the nature of the repulsive force between like charges and the
freedom of movement of charges within a conductor, explain why the
excess charges in an insulated conductor must reside on its surface.

Answer
Inject some charge at arbitrary locations within a conductive object. Every
bit of the charge repels every other bit, so each bit escapes as far as it can,
stopping only when it reaches the outer surface of the conductor.

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 Question 30

A person is placed inside a large hollow metal sphere that is isolated from
the earth. If a large charge is placed on the sphere, will the person be hurt if
they touch the inside of the sphere? Explain what will happen if the person
also has an initial charge whose sign is opposite to that of the charge on the
sphere.
Answer
If the person is not charged, the electric field inside the sphere is zero. The
inner wall of the shell carries no load. The person is not injured by touching
the wall. If the person carries a charge q (small), the electric field inside the
sphere will no longer be zero. The charge q is induced in the inner wall of
the sphere. The person will receive a (small) shock when they touch the
sphere, since the charge in their body jumps to the metal.

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 Question 31

Establish the distinction between electric potential and electric potential

energy.
Answer
Electric potential energy is the energy that a system of electric charges has
due to its position, whereas electric potential is the amount of electric
potential energy that exists per unit charge at a point. Electric potential at
a point can also be understood as the quotient between the work that must
be done to move a charge from infinity, to the point, and the charge that is
moved.

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 Question 33
A negative charge moves in the direction of a uniform electric field. Does
the potential energy of the charge increase or decrease? Does it move to a
position of higher or lower potential?

Answer

If it moves in the direction of the field, we can assume that it moves from
the vicinity of a positive charge to a negative charge (or from near a
negative charge to an even closer place), then since the charge that moves
is negative It will slow down, decreasing its speed, consequently its
potential energy increases (since its kinetic energy decreases). And, it
moves from a higher electrical potential to a lower one, this is justified
because it approaches a supposed negative charge.

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 Question 33
Provide a physical explanation for the fact that the potential energy of a
pair of like charges is positive while that of a pair of unlike charges is
negative.
Answer
Negative potential energy corresponds to an attractive system, and if it is
positive it corresponds to a repulsive one. A pair of charges of the same
type repel each other, and if they are of different types they attract each
other.

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 Question 34

A uniform electric field is parallel to the x axis. In what direction can a

charge move in this field without any external work being done on it?
Answer

It must move between points of equal potential, thus the work will be
zero.
This occurs in a direction perpendicular to the electric field.

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 Question 3 5
Explain why equipotential surfaces are always perpendicular to electric
field lines.
Answer
If a field line were not perpendicular to an equipotential surface, then it
would have a component parallel to the surface, and if you wanted to
move a charge in the direction of that field component, work would have
to be done. But that contradicts the concept of equipotential surface, on an
equipotential surface charges can move without doing work

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 Question 36
Describe the equipotential surfaces for a) an infinite line of charge, b) a
uniformly charged sphere.
Answer
An equipotential surface to an infinite line of charge would be a cylinder
of infinite height with the line of charge on its central axis. An
equipotential surface around a uniformly charged sphere is another sphere
concentric to the one with the charge.

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 Question 37
Explain why, under static conditions, all points on a conductor must be at
the same electrical potential.

Answer

If there are two points of a conductor that have different electric potential,
then an electric charge (an electron for example) would move between the
charges and an electric current would be registered, but we are saying that
we are in static conditions, and in that condition There can be no electric
current.

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 Question 3 8
Walking on a carpet and then touching someone can cause an electric
shock. Explain the reason why the above occurs.

Answer
When walking on a carpet we are electrostatically charging ourselves, due
to friction, and thus any part of our body remains charged, with an
electrical potential different from zero. If we touch a person in this way,
that person may have zero potential, and there would be a potential
difference between the two people that can translate into an electric shock.

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 Question 3 9

Why is it important to avoid sharp edges or points on conductors used in

high voltage equipment?

Answer
A lot of electrical charge accumulates at the edges and tips, therefore in
the vicinity of those places a great electrical potential is registered, and if
we approach them with our zero potential, because we are in contact with
the ground, we establish a great difference in potential and, therefore, an
electric discharge can occur from the point of high potential to the point of
zero potential (us) and we would receive the shock.

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 Question 40
What is the relative safety of staying in a car with a metal body during a
severe storm?
Answer
If lightning strikes us. From an electrical point of view we would have
quite a bit of security, because the metal body acts as a Faraday cage,
where the electrical charge it accumulates remains on the outside. But
thermally we would be in great danger.

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 Question
41
The plates of a capacitor are connected to a battery. What happens to the
charge on the plates if the connecting wires are removed from the battery?
What happens to the charge if the wires are removed from the battery and
connected to each other?

Answer
Nothing happens to the load if the cables are disconnected. If the
wires are connected to each other, the charges in the single
conductor that now exists move between the wires and the plates
until the entire conductor is at a single potential and the capacitor is
discharged.

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 Question 42
A pair of capacitors are connected in parallel while an identical pair is
connected in series. Which pair would be most dangerous to handle after
being connected to the same voltage source? Explain.

Answer
Capacitors connected in parallel store more energy since they have
a higher equivalent capacity.

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 Question 43
What advantage would there be in using two identical parallel capacitors
connected in series with another identical pair in parallel, instead of using a
single capacitor?

Answer
This arrangement would decrease the potential difference between
the plates of any capacitor by a factor of two, therefore decreasing
the possibility of dielectric breakdown. Depending on the
application, this can be the difference between life and death for
some other (probably more expensive) electrical component
connected to the capacitors.

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 Question 49

Since the net charge on a capacitor is always zero, what does a capacitor
store?

Answer
A capacitor stores energy in the electric field between the plates. This is most easily
observed when a removable capacitor is used. If the capacitor is charged, carefully
pull it apart into its component pieces. It can be found that a small residual charge
remains on each of the plates. When reset, the capacitor is suddenly charged - by
induction - due to the electric field that is established and stored in the dielectric.
This is proven in a demonstration class, especially when a student is asked to
rebuild the capacitor without using gloves or other insulating material. (Of course,
this is after he signs a liability waiver).

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 Question 49

Why is it dangerous to touch the terminals of a high voltage capacitor even after the
applied voltage has been removed? What can be done to make a capacitor handle
safely after the voltage source has been removed?

Answer
A capacitor stores energy in the electric field within the dielectric. Once the
external voltage source is removed - as long as there is no external resistance
through which the capacitor can discharge - the capacitor can retain this energy for
a long period of time. To make the capacitor safe to handle, it can be discharged by
means of a conductor, such as a screwdriver, as long as only the insulating handle is
touched. If the capacitor is large, it is best to use an external resistor to discharge
the capacitor slowly to prevent damage to the dielectric, or to solder the screwdriver
to the capacitor terminals.

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 Question 46
If the potential difference across a capacitor is doubled, by what factor does
the stored energy change? pacitor doubled, by what factor did the
stored energy change?

Answer
four times large. ional to the voltage squared. It becomes four times
larger.

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 Question 47

Describes how you can increase the maximum operating voltage of a

parallel-plate capacitor for a fixed plate separation.

Answer
Put a material with greater dielectric strength between the plates,
or evacuate the space between the plates. At very high voltages, it
is preferable to cool the plates or choose to have them made of a
different, more chemically stable material, because the atoms on
the plates themselves can ionize, showing thermal emission under
high electric fields.

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 Question 48

An air-filled capacitor is charged, then disconnected from the electrical

power supply, and finally connected to a voltmeter. Explain how and why
the voltage readings change when a dielectric is inserted between the
plates of the capacitor.

Answer
The potential difference must decrease. Since there is no external
power supply, the charge on the capacitor, Q , must remain
constant – this assuming the meter resistance is large enough.
Adding a dielectric increases the capacitance, which therefore
decreases the potential difference between the plates.

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 Question 49

By describing the polar molecule of a dielectric, explain how a dielectric

affects the electric field inside a capacitor.

Answer
Each polar molecule acts as an electrical “compass” needle,
aligning itself with the external electric field created by the charged
plates. The contribution of these electric dipoles pointing in the
same direction reduces the net electric field. As each dipole falls
into a lower potential energy configuration this can contribute to
increasing the internal energy of the material.

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 Question 48

Explain why a dielectric increases the maximum operating voltage of a capacitor even
though the physical size of the capacitor does not change.

Answer

The dielectric material may be able to withstand an electric field larger than
air, without interrupting the passage of a spark between the capacitor plates.

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 Question 51

In an analogy between electric current and the flow of automotive traffic,

what would the charge correspond to? And what would the current
correspond to?

Answer
Individual vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles, would correspond to the
load. The number of vehicles passing a given point at a given time would
correspond to the current.

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 Question 52

What is the difference between resistance and resistivity?

Answer

Resistance is a physical property of the conductor based on the material it

is made of, and its size and shape, including the places where current
enters and leaves. Resistivity is a physical property only of the material the
resistor is made of.

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 Question 60

In comparing water with an electrical circuit, which element corresponds to

the electrical power, the resistor, the charge and the potential difference?

Answer

A power source would correspond to a water pump; a resistor corresponds

to a tube of a certain diameter, and therefore resistance to flow; the charge
corresponds to the water itself; The potential difference corresponds to the
difference in height between the ends of a pipe or the ports of a water
pump.

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 Question 54

Use the atomic theory of matter to explain why the resistance of a material
must increase as its temperature increases.

Answer

In a metal, the conduction electrons are not tightly bound to the nuclei of
individual ions. They can move in response to the applied electric field to
constitute an electric current. Each metal ion in a microcrystal lattice exerts
Coulomb forces on its neighbors. When an ion is vibrating rapidly, it can
set its neighbors into vibration. This process represents energy moving
through a material as a result of heat.

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 Question 60

We have seen that an electric field must exist inside a conductor that
carries a current. How is the above possible if in the study of electrostatics
we come to the conclusion that the electric field inside a conductor must be
equal to zero?
Answer

A conductor is not in electrostatic equilibrium when it is carrying a current.

If the charges are placed on an insulated conductor, the electric fields
established in the conductor by the charges will cause the charges to move
until they are in positions such that the electric field is zero across the
conductor. A conductor carrying a constant current is not a case of an
insulated conductor – its ends must be connected to an emf source, such
as a battery. The battery maintains a potential difference across the
conductor and therefore an electric field in the conductor. The constant
current is due to the response of the electrons in the conductor due to this
constant electric field.

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 Question 60

Explain how a current can persist in a superconductor without any applied

voltage.

Answer

A current will still exist in a superconductor without voltage, because there

is no loss of resistance.

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 Question 57

Why could a good electrical conductor also be a good thermal conductor?

Answer
The amplitude of atomic vibrations increases with temperature. The atoms
can then scatter the electrons more efficiently.

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 Question 58
If charges flow very slowly through metal, why doesn't it take hours for a
light to come on when you flip the switch?

Answer
Because there are so many electrons in a conductor (about 10 28
electrons/m 3 ) the average speed rates are very slow. When a wire is
connected to a potential difference, an electric field is established
throughout the wire almost instantaneously, causing electrons to start
moving everywhere at the same time.

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 Question 59

Two conductors of equal length and radius are connected at the same
potential difference. The resistance of one of the conductors is twice that of
the other. Which one is given more power?

Answer

More power is delivered to the resistor with the least resistance, since

that P O
h

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 Question 60

Two light bulbs operate at 120 V. One has a power of 25 W and the other 100 W.
Which of the light bulbs has the greatest resistance? Which light bulb uses the most
current?

Answer
P =- , which implies that the 25 W bulb has a greater
R
endurance. Since P = ^V • i , the light bulb 100W has more
current.

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 Question 61

How would you connect resistors so that the equivalent resistance is larger
than the largest individual resistance? Give an example that includes three
resistors.

Answer
Connect the resistors in series. Resistors of 5.0 kΩ, 7.5 kΩ and 2.2 kΩ
connected in series will present equivalent resistances of 14.7 kΩ.

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 Question 61

How would you connect resistors so that the equivalent resistance is

smaller than the smallest individual resistance? Provide an example that
includes three resistors.

Answer

Connect the resistors in parallel. Resistors of 5.0 kΩ, 7.5 kΩ and

2.2 kΩ connected in parallel will present equivalent resistances of 1.3 kΩ

When resistors are connected in series, which of the following concepts

would be the same for each resistor: potential difference, current, or

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 Question 61

power?

Answer

In series, the current is the same through each resistor. Without knowing
the individual resistances, nothing can be determined regarding potential
difference or power.

When resistors are connected in parallel, which of the following concepts

would be the same for each resistor: potential difference, current, or

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 Question 61

power?

Answer

In parallel, the potential difference is the same across each resistor.

Without knowing individual resistances, nothing can be determined
regarding intensity or power.

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 Question 65

What advantages would there be in using two identical resistors in parallel

connected in series with another identical pair in parallel, instead of using a
single resistor?

Answer
In this configuration the power delivered to an individual resistor is
significantly less than if only an equivalent resistor were used. This
decreases the chances of component failure and possible electrical
disaster to a circuit component more expensive than a resistor.

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 Question 66
Why can birds perch on high-voltage cables without being electrocuted?

Answer

The entire wire is almost a uniform potential. The potential difference

between the bird's feet is essentially zero. Then a negligible current passes
through the bird. The resistance through the bird's body between its feet is
much greater than the resistance through the wire between the same two
points.

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 Question 61

What is the internal resistance of an ideal ammeter? What about an ideal

voltmeter? Can meters ever achieve these ideals in practice?

Answer
An ideal ammeter has zero resistance. An ideal voltmeter has infinite
resistance. True meters cannot achieve these values, but they approach
these values to the extent that they do not alter the current or potential
difference being measured within the accuracy of the meter.

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 Question 68
Suppose you fall from a building and in the fall you manage to grab onto a
high-voltage wire. If the wire resists you while hanging from it, will you be
electrocuted? If the wire breaks, would it be wise to continue holding on to
one end of the wire as it falls?

Answer
As long as you just grab a wire and don't touch anything grounded, you're
safe (remember question 6). If the cable breaks, let it go! If you continue to
hold on to it, there will be a large, rather deadly, potential difference
between the cable and your feet when you touch the ground since your
body may have a resistance of about 10 kΩ, the current would be enough
to ruin your day.

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 Question 61

Suppose you are flying a kite when it collides with a high-voltage wire.
What factors determine the intensity of the shock you will receive?

Answer
The two biggest factors are the potential difference between the cable and
your feet, and the conductivity of the kite string. That's why Ben Franklin's
experiment with lightning and kite flying were so dangerous. Several
scientists died trying to reproduce Franklin's results.

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 Question 70

When transmitting electrical energy over long distances, resistance

becomes important. Because? Which transmission method would result in
the least wasted energy: high current and low voltage or low current and
high voltage? Explain your answer?

Answer
A wire or cable in a transmission line is thick and made of a material with
very low resistivity. Only when its length is very great does its resistance
tend to be significant. For long-distance transmission power it is more
efficient to use low current intensity at high voltage, minimizing the power
loss í 2 •R in the transmission line. Alternating current, unlike the current
studied first, can be stepped up in voltage and down, again, with high-
efficiency transformers at both ends of the power line.

FOLLOWING

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A wire or cable in a transmission line is thick and made of a material with
very low resistivity. Only when its length is very great does its resistance
tend to be significant. For long-distance transmission power it is more
efficient to use low current intensity at high voltage, minimizing the power
loss i 2 • R in the transmission line. Alternating current, unlike the current
studied first, can be stepped up in voltage and down, again, with high-
efficiency transformers at both ends of the power line.

8
7